Enrollment in High-Deductible Health Plans and Incident Diabetes Complications.

Importance: Preventing diabetes complications requires monitoring and control of hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk factors. Switching to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) has been shown to hinder aspects of diabetes care; however, the association of HDHP enrollment with microvascular and macrovascular diabetes complications is unknown. Objective: To examine the association between an employer-required switch to an HDHP and incident complications of diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used deidentified administrative claims data for US adults with diabetes enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. Data analysis was performed from May 26, 2022, to January 2, 2024. Exposures: Adults with a baseline year of non-HDHP enrollment who had to switch to an HDHP because their employer offered no non-HDHP alternative in that year were compared with adults who were continuously enrolled in a non-HDHP. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mixed-effects logistic regression models examined the association between switching to an HDHP and, individually, the odds of myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, lower-extremity complication, end-stage kidney disease, proliferative retinopathy, treatment for retinopathy, and blindness. Models were adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, and medications, with inverse propensity score weighting used to account for potential selection bias. Results: The study included 42 326 adults who switched to an HDHP (mean [SD] age, 52 [10] years; 19 752 [46.7%] female) and 202 729 adults who did not switch (mean [SD] age, 53 [10] years; 89 828 [44.3%] female). Those who switched to an HDHP had greater odds of experiencing all diabetes complications (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.16 for myocardial infarction; OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09-1.21 for stroke; OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.30-1.41 for hospitalization for heart failure; OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.38-2.70 for end-stage kidney disease; OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 2.17-2.29 for lower-extremity complication; OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.13-1.21 for proliferative retinopathy; OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 2.18-2.54 for blindness; and OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 2.15-2.41 for retinopathy treatment). Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that an employer-driven switch to an HDHP was associated with increased odds of experiencing all diabetes complications. These findings reinforce the potential harm associated with HDHPs for people with diabetes and the importance of affordable and accessible chronic disease management, which is hindered by high out-of-pocket costs incurred by HDHPs.

Disparities in Acute and Chronic Complications of Diabetes Along the U.S. Rural-Urban Continuum.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative hazards of acute and chronic diabetes complications among people with diabetes across the U.S. rural-urban continuum. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the OptumLabs Data Warehouse, a deidentified data set of U.S. commercial and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, to follow 2,901,563 adults (age ≥18 years) with diabetes between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2021. We compared adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of diabetes complications in remote areas (population <2,500), small towns (population 2,500-50,000), and cities (population >50,000). RESULTS: Compared with residents of cities, residents of remote areas had greater hazards of myocardial infarction (HR 1.06 [95% CI 1.02-1.10]) and revascularization (HR 1.04 [1.02-1.06]) but lower hazards of hyperglycemia (HR 0.90 [0.83-0.98]) and stroke (HR 0.91 [0.88-0.95]). Compared with cities, residents of small towns had greater hazards of hyperglycemia (HR 1.06 [1.02-1.10]), hypoglycemia (HR 1.15 [1.12-1.18]), end-stage kidney disease (HR 1.04 [1.03-1.06]), myocardial infarction (HR 1.10 [1.08-1.12]), heart failure (HR 1.05 [1.03-1.06]), amputation (HR 1.05 [1.02-1.09]), other lower-extremity complications (HR 1.02 [1.01-1.03]), and revascularization (HR 1.05 [1.04-1.06]) but a smaller hazard of stroke (HR 0.95 [0.94-0.97]). Compared with small towns, residents of remote areas had lower hazards of hyperglycemia (HR 0.85 [0.78-0.93]), hypoglycemia (HR 0.92 [0.87-0.97]), and heart failure (HR 0.94 [0.91-0.97]). Hazards of retinopathy and atrial fibrillation/flutter did not vary geographically. CONCLUSIONS: Adults in small towns are disproportionately impacted by complications of diabetes. Future studies should probe for the reasons underlying these disparities.

Assessment of Glycemic Control by Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Hemoglobin A1c, Fructosamine, and Glycated Albumin in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease and Burnt-Out Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with diabetes and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) may experience "burnt-out diabetes," defined as having an HbA1c value <6.5% without antidiabetic therapy for >6 months. We aim to assess glycemic control by continuous glucose monitoring (Dexcom G6 CGM) metrics and glycemic markers in ESKD patients on hemodialysis with burnt-out diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this pilot prospective study, glycemic control was assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), HbA1c measures, and glycated albumin and fructosamine measurements in patients with burnt-out diabetes (n = 20) and without a history of diabetes (n = 20). RESULTS: Patients with burnt-out diabetes had higher CGM-measured daily glucose levels, lower percent time in the range 70-180 mg/dL, higher percent time above range (>250 mg/dL), and longer duration of hyperglycemia >180 mg/dL (hours/day) compared with patients without diabetes (all P < 0.01). HbA1c and fructosamine levels were similar; however, patients with burnt-out diabetes had higher levels of glycated albumin than did patients without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CGM demonstrated that patients with burnt-out diabetes have significant undiagnosed hyperglycemia. CGM and glycated albumin provide better assessment of glycemic control than do values of HbA1c and fructosamine in patients with ESKD.

Glucagon fill rates and cost among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in the United States, 2011-2021.

AIMS: To characterize glucagon fill rates and costs among youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: Claims-based analysis of commercially-insured youth with T1DM included in OptumLabs® Data Warehouse between 2011 and 2021. Glucagon fill rates and costs were calculated overall and by formulation (injectable, intranasal, autoinjector, and pre-filled syringe). Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with glucagon fills were examined using Cox regression. RESULTS: We identified 13,267 children with T1DM (76.4% non-Hispanic White). Over mean follow-up of 2.81 years (SD 2.62), 70.0% filled glucagon, with stable fill rates from 2011 to 2021. Intranasal glucagon had rapid uptake following initial approval, and it accounted for almost half (46.6%) of all glucagon fills by 2021. Family income was positively associated with glucagon fills in a stepwise fashion (HR 1.39 [95% CI 1.27-1.52] for annual household income ≥$200,000 vs. <$40,000), while Black race was negatively associated with fills (HR 0.83 [95% CI 0.76-0.91]) compared to White race). Annual mean out-of-pocket costs ranged from $21-$68 (IQR $29-$44). CONCLUSION: Roughly 30% of commercially-insured youth with T1DM may lack access to unexpired glucagon, with significant disparities among Black and low-income patients. Health systems, clinicians, schools, and caregivers should work together to ensure children have reliable access to this critical medication.

Advances in the management of type 2 diabetes in adults.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic and progressive cardiometabolic disorder that affects more than 10% of adults worldwide and is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, disability, and high costs. Over the past decade, the pattern of management of diabetes has shifted from a predominantly glucose centric approach, focused on lowering levels of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), to a directed complications centric approach, aimed at preventing short term and long term complications of diabetes, and a pathogenesis centric approach, which looks at the underlying metabolic dysfunction of excess adiposity that both causes and complicates the management of diabetes. In this review, we discuss the latest advances in patient centred care for type 2 diabetes, focusing on drug and non-drug approaches to reducing the risks of complications of diabetes in adults. We also discuss the effects of social determinants of health on the management of diabetes, particularly as they affect the treatment of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes.

Relief in Sight? Chatbots, In-baskets, and the Overwhelmed Primary Care Clinician.

The recent emergence of publically facing artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots has generated vigorous discussion in the lay public around the possibilities, liabilities, and uncertainties of the integration of such technology into everyday life. As primary care clinicians continue to struggle against ever-increasing loads of asynchronous, electronic work, the potential for AI to improve the quality and efficiency of this work looms large. In this essay, we discuss the basic premise of open-access AI chatbots such as CHATGPT, review prior applications of AI in healthcare, and preview some possible AI chatbot-assisted in-basket assistance including scenarios of communicating test results with patients, providing patient education, and clinical decision support in history taking, review of prior diagnostic test characteristics, and common management scenarios. We discuss important concerns related to the future adoption of this technology including the transparency of the training data used in developing these models, the level of oversight and trustworthiness of the information generated, and possible impacts on equity, bias, and patient privacy. A stepwise and balanced approach to simultaneously understand the capabilities and address the concerns associated with these tools will be needed before these tools can improve patient care.

Community paramedic hospital reduction and mitigation program: study protocol for a randomized pragmatic clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: New patient-centered models of care are needed to individualize care and reduce high-cost care, including emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for low- and intermediate-acuity conditions that could be managed outside the hospital setting. Community paramedics (CPs) have advanced training in low- and high-acuity care and are equipped to manage a wide range of health conditions, deliver patient education, and address social determinants of health in the home setting. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the Care Anywhere with Community Paramedics (CACP) program with respect to shortening and preventing acute care utilization. METHODS: This is a pragmatic, hybrid type 1, two-group, parallel-arm, 1:1 randomized clinical trial of CACP versus usual care that includes formative evaluation methods and assessment of implementation outcomes. It is being conducted in two sites in the US Midwest, which include small metropolitan areas and rural areas. Eligible patients are ≥ 18 years old; referred from an outpatient, ED, or hospital setting; clinically appropriate for ambulatory care with CP support; and residing within CP service areas of the referral sites. Aim 1 uses formative data collection with key clinical stakeholders and rapid qualitative analysis to identify potential facilitators/barriers to implementation and refine workflows in the 3-month period before trial enrollment commences (i.e., pre-implementation). Aim 2 uses mixed methods to evaluate CACP effectiveness, compared to usual care, by the number of days spent alive outside of the ED or hospital during the first 30 days following randomization (primary outcome), as well as self-reported quality of life and treatment burden, emergency medical services use, ED visits, hospitalizations, skilled nursing facility utilization, and adverse events (secondary outcomes). Implementation outcomes will be measured using the RE-AIM framework and include an assessment of perceived sustainability and metrics on equity in implementation. Aim 3 uses qualitative methods to understand patient, CP, and health care team perceptions of the intervention and recommendations for further refinement. In an effort to conduct a rigorous evaluation but also speed translation to practice, the planned duration of the trial is 15 months from the study launch to the end of enrollment. DISCUSSION: This study will provide robust and timely evidence for the effectiveness of the CACP program, which may pave the way for large-scale implementation. Implementation outcomes will inform any needed refinements and best practices for scale-up and sustainability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05232799. Registered on 10 February 2022.

Glucagon Prescribing and Costs Among U.S. Adults With Diabetes, 2011-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize contemporary trends in glucagon fill rates and expenditures in a nationwide cohort of adults with diabetes overall and by key demographic and clinical characteristics. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 1) glucagon fill rates per 1,000 person-years and 2) patient out-of-pocket and health plan costs per filled glucagon dose among adults with diabetes included in OptumLabs Data Warehouse between 1 January 2011 and 31 March 2021. RESULTS: The study population comprised 2,814,464 adults with diabetes with a mean age of 62.8 (SD 13.2) years. The overall glucagon fill rate decreased from 2.91 to 2.28 per 1,000 person-years (-22%) over the study period. In groups at high risk for severe hypoglycemia, glucagon fill rates increased from 22.46 to 36.76 per 1,000 person-years (64%) among patients with type 1 diabetes, 11.64 to 16.63 per 1,000 person-years (43%) among those treated with short-acting insulin, and 16.08 to 20.12 per 1,000 person-years (25%) among those with a history of severe hypoglycemia. White patients, women, individuals with high income, and commercially insured patients had higher glucagon fill rates compared with minority patients, males, individuals with low income, and Medicare Advantage patients, respectively. Total cost per dosing unit increased from $157.97 to $275.32 (74%) among commercial insurance beneficiaries and from $150.37 to $293.57 (95%) among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS: Glucagon fill rates are concerningly low and declined between 2011 and 2021 but increased in appropriate subgroups with type 1 diabetes, using short-acting insulin, or with a history of severe hypoglycemia. Fill rates were disproportionately low among minority patients and individuals with low income.

Evaluation of High-Deductible Health Plans and Acute Glycemic Complications Among Adults With Diabetes.

Importance: Optimal diabetes care requires regular monitoring and care to maintain glycemic control. How high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), which reduce overall spending but may impede care by increasing out-of-pocket expenses, are associated with risks of severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia is unknown. Objective: To examine the association between an employer-forced switch to HDHP and severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used deidentified administrative claims data for privately insured adults with diabetes from a single insurance carrier with multiple plans across the US between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018. Analyses were conducted between May 15, 2020, and November 3, 2022. Exposures: Patients with 1 baseline year of enrollment in a non-HDHP whose employers subsequently forced a switch to an HDHP were compared with patients who did not switch. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine the association between switching to an HDHP and the odds of severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (ascertained using diagnosis codes in emergency department [ED] visits and hospitalizations), adjusting for patient age, sex, race and ethnicity, region, income, comorbidities, glucose-lowering medications, baseline ED and hospital visits for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and baseline deductible amount, and applying inverse propensity score weighting to account for potential treatment selection bias. Results: The study population was composed of 42 326 patients who switched to an HDHP (mean [SD] age: 52 [10] years, 19 752 [46.7%] women, 7375 [17.4%] Black, 5740 [13.6%] Hispanic, 26 572 [62.8%] non-Hispanic White) and 202 729 patients who did not switch (mean [SD] age, 53 [10] years, 89 828 [44.3%] women, 29 551 [14.6%] Black, 26 689 [13.2%] Hispanic, 130 843 [64.5%] non-Hispanic White). When comparing all study years, switching to an HDHP was not associated with increased odds of experiencing at least 1 hypoglycemia-related ED visit or hospitalization (OR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.95-1.06]; P = .85), but each year of HDHP enrollment did increase these odds by 2% (OR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.00-1.04]; P = .04). In contrast, switching to an HDHP did significantly increase the odds of experiencing at least 1 hyperglycemia-related ED visit or hospitalization (OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.11-1.42]; P < .001), with each year of HDHP enrollment increasing the odds by 5% (OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.01-1.09]; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, employer-forced switching to an HDHP was associated with increased odds of potentially preventable acute diabetes complications, potentially because of delayed or deferred care. These findings suggest that employers should be more judicious in their health plan offerings, and health plans and policy makers should consider allowing preventive and high-value services to be exempt from deductible requirements.

Evolution of Clinical Complexity, Treatment Burden, Health Care Use, and Diabetes-Related Outcomes Among Commercial and Medicare Advantage Plan Beneficiaries With Diabetes in the U.S., 2006-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize trends in clinical complexity, treatment burden, health care use, and diabetes-related outcomes among adults with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a nationwide claims database to identify enrollees in commercial and Medicare Advantage plans who met claims criteria for diabetes between 1 January 2006 and 31 March 2019 and to quantify annual trends in clinical complexity (e.g., active health conditions), treatment burden (e.g., medications), health care use (e.g., ambulatory, emergency department [ED], and hospital visits), and diabetes-related outcomes (e.g., hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] levels) between 2006 and 2018. RESULTS: Among 1,470,799 commercially insured patients, the proportion with ≥10 active health conditions increased from 33.3% (95% CI 33.1-33.4) in 2006 to 38.9% (38.8-39.1) in 2018 (P = 0.001) and the proportion taking three or more glucose-lowering medications increased from 11.6% (11.5-11.7) to 23.1% (22.9-23.2) (P = 0.007). The proportion with HbA1c ≥8.0% (≥64 mmol/mol) increased from 28.0% (27.7-28.3) in 2006 to 30.5% (30.2-30.7) in 2015, decreasing to 27.8% (27.5-28.0) in 2018 (overall trend P = 0.04). Number of ambulatory visits per patient per year decreased from 6.86 (6.84-6.88) to 6.19 (6.17-6.21), (P = 0.001) while ED visits increased from 0.26 (0.257-0.263) to 0.29 (0.287-0.293) (P = 0.001). Among 1,311,903 Medicare Advantage enrollees, the proportion with ≥10 active conditions increased from 51.6% (51.2-52.0) to 65.1% (65.0-65.2) (P < 0.001); the proportion taking three or more glucose-lowering medications was stable at 16.6% (16.3-16.9) and 18.1% (18.0-18.2) (P = 0.98), and the proportion with HbA1c ≥8.0% increased from 17.4% (16.7-18.1) to 18.6% (18.4-18.7) (P = 0.008). Ambulatory visits per patient per year remained stable at 8.01 (7.96-8.06) and 8.17 (8.16-8.19) (P = 0.23), but ED visits increased from 0.41 (0.40-0.42) to 0.66 (0.66-0.66) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with diabetes, clinical complexity and treatment burden have increased over time. ED utilization has also increased, and patients may be using ED services for low-acuity conditions.

Interventions for Increasing Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) among rural patients who smoke: Study protocol for a pragmatic randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking prevalence is higher among rural compared with urban adults, yet access to cessation programming is reduced. The Increasing Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) study aims to evaluate three digital access and literacy interventions for promoting engagement with an online evidence-based smoking cessation treatment (EBCT) program among rural adults. METHODS: The pilot trial will use a pragmatic, three-arm, randomized, parallel-group design with participants recruited from a Midwest community-based health system in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. All participants will receive an online, 12-week, EBCT program, and written materials on digital access resources. Participants will be stratified based on state of residence and randomly assigned with 1:1:1 allocation to one of three study groups: (1) Control Condition-no additional study intervention (n = 30); (2) Loaner Digital Device-Bluetooth enabled iPad with data plan coverage loaned for the study duration (n = 30); (3) Loaner Digital Device + Coaching Support-loaner device plus up to six, 15-20 min motivational interviewing-based coaching calls to enhance participants' digital access and literacy (n = 30). All participants will complete study assessments at baseline and 4- and 12-weeks post-randomization. Outcomes are cessation program and trial engagement, biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence, and patient experience. RESULTS: A rural community advisory committee was formed that fostered co-design of the study protocol for relevance to rural populations, including the trial design and interventions. CONCLUSION: Study findings, processes, and resources may have relevance to other health systems aiming to foster digital inclusion in smoking cessation and chronic disease management programs and clinical trials in rural communities.

Evaluation for clinical benefit of metformin in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a national claims-based cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with high morbidity and limited treatment options. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common comorbid illness among patients with IPF and is often treated with metformin, the first-line agent in the management of T2DM. There is growing evidence demonstrating metformin's anti-fibrotic properties; however, there is little real-world clinical data regarding its potential effectiveness in IPF. This study aims to evaluate the clinical benefit of metformin in patients with IPF and T2DM. METHODS: This nationwide cohort study used de-identified administrative claims data from OptumLabs® Data Warehouse to identify 3599 adults with IPF and concomitant T2DM between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2019. Two cohorts were created: a cohort treated with metformin (n = 1377) and a cohort not treated with metformin (n = 2222). A final 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort compared 1100 patients with IPF and T2DM receiving metformin to those with both diagnoses but not receiving metformin; matching accounted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, residence region, year, medications, oxygen use, smoking status, healthcare use, and comorbidities. Outcomes were all-cause mortality (primary) and hospitalizations (secondary). RESULTS: Among 2200 patients with IPF and T2DM included in this matched analysis, metformin therapy was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.58; p < 0.001) and hospitalizations (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.93; p = 0.003) compared to patients not receiving metformin. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with IPF and T2DM, metformin therapy may be associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, further investigation with randomized clinical trials is necessary prior to metformin's broad implementation in the clinical management of IPF.

Association Between Payments by Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Prescribing Behavior in Rheumatology.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between pharmaceutical industry payments to rheumatologists and their prescribing behaviors. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of Medicare Part B Public Use File, Medicare Part D Public Use File, and Open Payments data for 2013 to 2015. Prescription drugs responsible for 80% of the total Medicare pharmaceutical expenditures in rheumatology were analyzed. We calculated the mean annual drug cost per beneficiary per year, the percentage of rheumatologists who received payments, and the median annual payment per physician per drug per year. Industry payments were categorized as food/beverage and consulting/compensation. Multivariable regression models were used to assess associations between industry payments and both prescribing patterns and prescription drug expenditures. RESULTS: Of 4822 rheumatologists in the Medicare prescribing databases, 3729 received any payment from a pharmaceutical company during this time frame. Food/beverage payments were associated with an increased proportion of prescriptions for the related drugs (range, 1.5% to 4.5%) and an increased proportion of annual Medicare spending for the related drugs (range, 3% to 23%). For every $100 in food/beverage payments, the probability of prescribing increased (range, 1.5% to 14% for most drugs) and Medicare reimbursements increased (range, 6% to 44% for most drugs). Consulting/compensation payments were associated with an increased proportion of prescriptions (range, 1.2% to 1.6%) and an increased proportion of annual Medicare spending (range, 1% to 2%). For every $1000 in consulting/compensation payments, both the probability of prescribing increased (5% or less for most drugs) and Medicare reimbursements increased (less than 10% for most drugs). CONCLUSION: Payments to rheumatologists by pharmaceutical companies are associated with increased probability of prescribing and Medicare spending.

Association of Area-Level Socioeconomic Deprivation With Hypoglycemic and Hyperglycemic Crises in US Adults With Diabetes.

Importance: Social determinants of health play a role in diabetes management and outcomes, including potentially life-threatening complications of severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS). Although several person-level socioeconomic factors have been associated with these complications, the implications of area-level socioeconomic deprivation are unknown. Objective: To examine the association between area-level deprivation and the risks of experiencing emergency department visits or hospitalizations for hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic crises (ie, DKA or HHS). Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used deidentified administrative claims data for privately insured individuals and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries across the US. The analysis included adults with diabetes who met the claims criteria for diabetes between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017. Data analyses were performed from November 17, 2020, to November 11, 2021. Exposures: Area deprivation index (ADI) was derived for each county for 2016 and 2017 using 17 county-level indicators from the American Community Survey. ADI values were applied to patients who were living in each county based on their index dates and were categorized according to county-level ADI quintile (with quintile 1 having the least deprivation and quintile 5 having the most deprivation). Main Outcomes and Measures: The numbers of emergency department visits or hospitalizations related to the primary diagnoses of hypoglycemia and DKA or HHS (ascertained using validated diagnosis codes in the first or primary position of emergency department or hospital claims) between 2016 and 2019 were calculated for each ADI quintile using negative binomial regression models and adjusted for patient age, sex, health plan type, comorbidities, glucose-lowering medication type, and percentage of White residents in the county. Results: The study population included 1 116 361 individuals (563 943 women [50.5%]), with a mean (SD) age of 64.9 (13.2) years. Of these patients, 343 726 (30.8%) resided in counties with the least deprivation (quintile 1) and 121 810 (10.9%) lived in counties with the most deprivation (quintile 5). Adjusted rates of severe hypoglycemia increased from 13.54 (95% CI, 12.91-14.17) per 1000 person-years in quintile 1 counties to 19.13 (95% CI, 17.62-20.63) per 1000 person-years in quintile 5 counties, corresponding to an incidence rate ratio of 1.41 (95% CI, 1.29-1.54; P < .001). Adjusted rates of DKA or HHS increased from 7.49 (95% CI, 6.96-8.02) per 1000 person-years in quintile 1 counties to 8.37 (95% CI, 7.50-9.23) per 1000 person-years in quintile 5 counties, corresponding to an incidence rate ratio of 1.12 (95% CI, 1.00-1.25; P = .049). Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that living in counties with a high area-level deprivation was associated with an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia and DKA or HHS. The concentration of these preventable events in areas of high deprivation signals the need for interventions that target the structural barriers to optimal diabetes management and health.

Association Between Area-Level Socioeconomic Deprivation and Diabetes Care Quality in US Primary Care Practices.

Importance: Diabetes management operates under a complex interrelationship between behavioral, social, and economic factors that affect a patient's ability to self-manage and access care. Objective: To examine the association between 2 complementary area-based metrics, area deprivation index (ADI) score and rurality, and optimal diabetes care. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed the electronic health records of patients who were receiving care at any of the 75 Mayo Clinic or Mayo Clinic Health System primary care practices in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin in 2019. Participants were adults with diabetes aged 18 to 75 years. All data were abstracted and analyzed between June 1 and November 30, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the attainment of all 5 components of the D5 metric of optimal diabetes care: glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c <8.0%), blood pressure (BP) control (systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg), lipid control (use of statin therapy according to recommended guidelines), aspirin use (for patients with ischemic vascular disease), and no tobacco use. The proportion of patients receiving optimal diabetes care was calculated as a function of block group-level ADI score (a composite measure of 17 US Census indicators) and zip code-level rurality (calculated using Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes). Odds of achieving the D5 metric and its components were assessed using logistic regression that was adjusted for demographic characteristics, coronary artery disease history, and primary care team specialty. Results: Among the 31 934 patients included in the study (mean [SD] age, 59 [11.7] years; 17 645 men [55.3%]), 13 138 (41.1%) achieved the D5 metric of optimal diabetes care. Overall, 4090 patients (12.8%) resided in the least deprived quintile (quintile 1) of block groups and 1614 (5.1%) lived in the most deprived quintile (quintile 5), while 9193 patients (28.8%) lived in rural areas and 2299 (7.2%) in highly rural areas. The odds of meeting the D5 metric were lower for individuals residing in quintile 5 vs quintile 1 block groups (odds ratio [OR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.67-0.78). Patients residing in rural (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.97) and highly rural (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72-0.91) zip codes were also less likely to attain the D5 metric compared with those in urban areas. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study found that patients living in more deprived and rural areas were significantly less likely to attain high-quality diabetes care compared with those living in less deprived and urban areas. The results call for geographically targeted population health management efforts by health systems, public health agencies, and payers.

Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Treatment-Related Factors Associated With Hyperglycemic Crises Among Adults With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes in the US From 2014 to 2020.

Importance: Hyperglycemic crises (ie, diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA] and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state [HHS]) are life-threatening acute complications of diabetes. Efforts to prevent these events at the population level have been hindered by scarce granular data and difficulty in identifying individuals at highest risk. Objective: To assess sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment-related factors associated with hyperglycemic crises in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the US from 2014 to 2020. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed administrative claims and laboratory results for adults (aged ≥18 years) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: Rates of emergency department or hospital visits with a primary diagnosis of DKA or HHS (adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and region, and for year when calculating annualized rates) were calculated separately for patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The associations of sociodemographic factors (age, sex, race/ethnicity, region, and income), clinical factors (comorbidities), and treatment factors (glucose-lowering medications, hemoglobin A1c) with DKA or HHS in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were assessed using negative binomial regression. Results: Among 20 156 adults with type 1 diabetes (mean [SD] age, 46.6 [16.5] years; 51.2% male; 72.6% White race/ethnicity) and 796 382 with type 2 diabetes (mean [SD] age, 65.6 [11.8] years; 50.3% female; 54.4% White race/ethnicity), adjusted rates of hyperglycemic crises were 52.69 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 48.26-57.12 per 1000 person-years) for type 1 diabetes and 4.04 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 3.88-4.21 per 1000 person-years) for type 2 diabetes. In both groups, factors associated with the greatest hyperglycemic crisis risk were low income (≥$200 000 vs <$40 000: type 1 diabetes incidence risk ratio [IRR], 0.61 [95% CI, 0.46-0.81]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.56-0.86]), Black race/ethnicity (vs White race/ethnicity: type 1 diabetes IRR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.01-1.74]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.09-1.27]), high hemoglobin A1c level (≥10% vs 6.5%-6.9%: type 1 diabetes IRR, 7.81 [95% CI, 5.78-10.54]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 7.06 [95% CI, 6.26-7.96]), history of hyperglycemic crises (type 1 diabetes IRR, 7.88 [95% CI, 6.06-9.99]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 17.51 [95% CI, 15.07-20.34]), severe hypoglycemia (type 1 diabetes IRR, 2.77 [95% CI, 2.15-3.56]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 4.18 [95% CI, 3.58-4.87]), depression (type 1 diabetes IRR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.37-1.92]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.34-1.59]), neuropathy (type 1 diabetes IRR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.39-1.93]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.17-1.34]), and nephropathy (type 1 diabetes IRR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.01-1.48]; type 2 diabetes IRR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.14-1.33]). Age had a U-shaped association with hyperglycemic crisis risk in patients with type 1 diabetes (compared with patients aged 18-44 years: 45-64 years IRR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.59-0.87]; 65-74 years IRR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.47-0.80]; ≥75 years IRR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.66-1.38]). In type 2 diabetes, risk of hyperglycemic crises decreased progressively with age (45-64 years IRR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.51-0.63]; 65-74 years IRR, 0.44 [95% CI, .39-0.49]; ≥75 years IRR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.36-0.47]). In patients with type 2 diabetes, higher risk was associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapy (IRR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.14-1.49) and insulin dependency (compared with regimens with bolus insulin: regimens with basal insulin only, IRR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.63-0.75]; and without any insulin, IRR, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.33-0.40]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, younger age, Black race/ethnicity, low income, and poor glycemic control were associated with an increased risk of hyperglycemic crises. The findings suggest that multidisciplinary interventions focusing on groups at high risk for hyperglycemic crises are needed to prevent these dangerous events.

Postacute Sequelae of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: A State-of-the-Art Review.

The vast majority of patients (>99%) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 survive immediate infection but remain at risk for persistent and/or delayed multisystem. This review of published reports through May 31, 2021, found that manifestations of postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (PASC) affect between 33% and 98% of coronavirus disease 2019 survivors and comprise a wide range of symptoms and complications in the pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems in both adult and pediatric populations. Additional complications are likely to emerge and be identified over time. Although data on PASC risk factors and vulnerable populations are scarce, evidence points to a disproportionate impact on racial/ethnic minorities, older patients, patients with preexisting conditions, and rural residents. Concerted efforts by researchers, health systems, public health agencies, payers, and governments are urgently needed to better understand and mitigate the long-term effects of PASC on individual and population health.

Impact of High Deductible Health Plans on Diabetes Care Quality and Outcomes: Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a review of the impact of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) on the utilizations of services required for optimal management of diabetes and subsequent health outcomes. METHODS: Systematic literature review of studies published between January 1, 2000, and May 7, 2021, was conducted that examined the impact of HDHP on diabetes monitoring (eg, recommended laboratory and surveillance testing), routine care (eg, ambulatory appointments), medication management (eg, medication initiation, adherence), and acute health care utilization (eg, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, incident complications). RESULTS: Of the 303 reviewed articles, 8 were relevant. These studies demonstrated that HDHPs lower spending at the expense of reduced high-value diabetes monitoring, routine care, and medication adherence, potentially contributing to the observed increases in acute health care utilization. Additionally, patient out-of-pocket costs for recommended screenings doubled, and total health care expenditures increased by 49.4% for HDHP enrollees compared with enrollees in traditional health plans. Reductions in disease monitoring and routine care and increases in acute health care utilization were greatest in lower-income patients. None of the studies examined the impact of HDHPs on access to diabetes self-management education, technology use, or glycemic control. CONCLUSION: Although HDHPs reduce some health care utilization and costs, they appear to do so at the expense of limiting high-value care and medication adherence. Policymakers, providers, and payers should be more cognizant of the potential for negative consequences of HDHPs on patients' health.

Association between primary care physician diagnostic knowledge and death, hospitalisation and emergency department visits following an outpatient visit at risk for diagnostic error: a retrospective cohort study using medicare claims.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic error is a key healthcare concern and can result in substantial morbidity and mortality. Yet no study has investigated the relationship between adverse outcomes resulting from diagnostic errors and one potentially large contributor to these errors: deficiencies in diagnostic knowledge. Our objective was to measure that associations between diagnostic knowledge and adverse outcomes after visits to primary care physicians that were at risk for diagnostic errors. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: 1410 US general internists who recently took their American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (ABIM-IM-MOC) exam treating 42 407 Medicare beneficiaries who experienced 48 632 'index' outpatient visits for new problems at risk for diagnostic error because the presenting problem (eg, dizziness) was related to prespecified diagnostic error sensitive conditions (eg, stroke). OUTCOME MEASURES: 90-day risk of all-cause death, and, for outcome conditions related to the index visits diagnosis, emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalisations. DESIGN: Using retrospective cohort study design, we related physician performance on ABIM-IM-MOC diagnostic exam questions to patient outcomes during the 90-day period following an index visit at risk for diagnostic error after controlling for practice characteristics, patient sociodemographic and baseline clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Rates of 90-day adverse outcomes per 1000 index visits were 7 for death, 11 for hospitalisations and 14 for ED visits. Being seen by a physician in the top versus bottom third of diagnostic knowledge during an index visit for a new problem at risk for diagnostic error was associated with 2.9 fewer all-cause deaths (95% CI -5.0 to -0.7, p=0.008), 4.1 fewer hospitalisations (95% CI -6.9 to -1.2, p=0.006) and 4.9 fewer ED visits (95% CI -8.1% to -1.6%, p=0.003) per 1000 visits. CONCLUSION: Higher diagnostic knowledge was associated with lower risk of adverse outcomes after visits for problems at heightened risk for diagnostic error.